Centre Stage in Saudi Arabia – Our Guide to the Best Open Mics in the Kingdom of Fun
You’ve bopped at MDLBeast, you’re looking ahead to Riyadh Comedy Festival, and just generally soaked up the vibes of all that Saudi entertainment has to offer. But what if you’re the star in making or you just want to share your talent and passion with like-minded people? Well, you’re still in the right place because the open mic scene here is as happening as the rest of its cultural scene. Read on as we look at some of the best open mic nights and venues across the Kingdom where talent takes center stage.
Riyadh
1. Open Mic KSA
One of the originals! A spin-off from the successful Open Mic events in the USA, and among the first dedicated open mic nights in Saudi. It’s a truly OPEN open mic, welcoming almost any kind of form or genre – spoken word, poetry, music, comedy, storytelling, real-life talk, edutainment… basically if you can perform it (in good taste), you can showcase it. Keep an eye on their MeetUp page for details of the next event and its location.
2. The Warehouse
We’ve written before about Riyadh’s artist-led Jax District – but in case you need reminding it’s the buzzy, artist-led community where creators of every stripe have made the venues they need amid former industrial warehouses. Befitting a creative space like this, Jax Warehouse hosts music-focused open mic and Karaoke nights – check out their Instagram for more information. Jax Warehouse is the district’s go-to music venue – this isn’t a cozy café we’re talking about, it’s called ‘the Warehouse for a reason – so, they’re seriously well equipped to platform enthusiasts in a sizeable performance space just as they serve up well-known musical names at concerts.
3. Lvl Up
Lvl Up is a Riyadh social hub perhaps best known as a gaming venue (check out our e-sports article if you want to know more about that scene). Easily accessible in Riyadh’s west, not far from iconic cultural and entertainment destinations like Diriyah and Boulevard City, Lvl Up is now hosting open mic nights too, welcoming basically anything – music, poetry, comedy, spoken word… it’s a sandbox, as the gamers say. So, whatever your talent or passion, you’re sure to find the space and likeminded audience in a classic bare-brick, mid-sized space. Keep an eye on their platinum list page for the next open mic event.
4. One Mic Open Night
If you want a laugh, One Mic is one of the top places to go for regular on-stage showcases of local and international comedy talent up close and personal in both standup and improv settings. And just as every punchline needs a setup, so every comedy scene needs new talent and One Mic is welcoming it with their open mic nights. Obviously (?) it’s comedy focused and you’ll need to book your slot (that link will also let you know when they announce their next event, so keep an eye on it). Located in the hip north of Riyadh, it’s walking distance from the Dr Sulaiman Al Habib Metro 1 Riyadh underground stop.
5. Syrup Lounge
Syrup Lounge really is the sweet spot for up and coming or amateur musicians in Riyadh. This mid-sized, stage-founded venue was founded by musician Mostafa Shirah for other musicians, it’s a live music and performance venue right on the northern edge of Riyadh that also offers open mic nights, jam sessions, and karaoke. Follow their Instagram to see what’s coming up and how you can join in.
Jeddah
6. Makan Music
Moving over to Jeddah, there’s Makan (The Place). And yeah, this is the place in Jeddah for music. Offering lessons, workshops, and performances of every genre of music you can imagine, this hybrid café/shop/performance space venue also hosts regular open mics focusing on everything from traditional Arabic stylings to grunge, metal, and hip hop. Lookout for their next session here and book your slot too.
7. Music and Antiques
Is it a shop? Is it a museum? Is it a performing venue? Yes, yes, and yes because it’s Jeddah’s legendary Music and Antiques and it’s all three and more. Once you’re done browsing their records or learning about different musical instruments and genres, stick around for Music and Antiques’ legendary karaoke sessions, movie nights and other live performances in this hip and whites-of-their-eyes sized venue. Follow their Instagram to keep track of what’s coming and for information on how you can join in. Performance-wise, there’s a heavy focus on music and its sometimes even themed with cosplay too – ideal if you want to pay tribute to a legend, idol, or star.
East Coast
8. Bohemia Café
Al Khobar is known for its ultra-laidback vibe and that’s reflected in the Bohemia Café and Records branch in the east coast city. Not far from the seaside itself, Bohemia Café also features a hidden outdoor garden to make the most of those cool east coast winters and the inside is more like a comfy den than a café. With both karaoke and open mic nights, as well as live shows from established musicians, it’s a great spot to show off your own talents, discover other people’s, or just meet like-minded friends. Check out their website and Instagram for details of their events!
So, get your punchlines hitting hard, your chords tight, and your tales tall and, hopefully, one day we’ll be writing about how a new star was born in one of these venues. See you on stage!
